Thread: Project Special K

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Pulled the tranny today. Looks good, other than dirty. I talked to a friend who is our mechanic and who races dirt track cars locally as to where to take the tranny to check it out. He told me the exact same place I had narrowed down locally, which made me feel good. He also gave me a guy's name there who has worked with Randy quite a bit. I feel a lot better about this after talking to Randy. He says the c6 is pretty bullet proof so I feel good about sticking with it. The transmission place charges 100 bucks to break it down and assemble a list of parts and labor to fix it up. They warrenty it for three years or 30k so sounds good to me! I'm always weary of trying a new place out. Takes an elimate of trust, especially where big bucks are concerned. Also want to thank whoever posted the hot rod girl parts place online, I got an 8 ball shifter knob, very cool! If anybody has info towards the pulleys in my last post please chime in, thanks, Steve.

any suggestions on firewall paint. Brands, types, etc.Thanks.

Took the tranny down to the shop today. Got a call this afternoon, that it needs to be rebuilt. Major wear to all internals, but rebuildable. $1100.00. So much for my engine fund, it will take a few months savings to be able to order that. In the meantime they will remanufacture the transmission and give it a three year 30k mile warrenty. I'm glad I decided to do this. It's costly, but what in this hobby isn' t? It was such a fun little project beefing the 429 out, that I figure do it right, do it once, and be confident in the quality you'll have in the power train in the end! No worries while driving it if it'll explode, throw a rod, etc... I guess I'm just a bit slow compared to some of you folks on getting it roadworthy. I guess thats what makes it worth while doing. It will be my truck now once it's done!

Well I got a few hours in on the truck today. First I degreased and then soaped down, followed by pressure washing the front frame, engine bay , leaf springs,etc. Then after leting it dry, I pulled out my small test can of por 15 and painted the leaf springs, most of the front end frame and steering box. That stuff goes along way! It paints on so easily I was suprised. It also looks great as it drys and flatens out. I also primed the whole engine bay. I sprayed on pretty thick, because there were lots of imperfections. I'll go over it with a good sanding on my next day off, and then paint it. It's amazing how such a little thing makes the truck look so much farther along, and so much cleaner. If anyone is considering painting there frame, I highly recogmend the POR 15 paint!

I thought I'd post some preliminary Por 15 photos. Mind you I missed lots of spots and so you can see what it looked like before and after, I need to buy more paint to finish the frame.

That's cleaning up pretty well Steve. Without that monster 460 in there you can hold a dance in the engine room.

Don

Thanks Don. Yeah there is a lot of room, funny what no engine does!

Did some minor sanding and priming and painting today of the firewall and engine bay. I really like the finish the SEM trim black gives. It hides my mistake pretty well, and is a spray can. One can did the job, but, I'll get a second one just to give it a few more coats. I know it's not show car quality, but I'm happy with it!

Went out and got a second can of SEM Trim Black. After a couple of touchup coats, here is the finished product. Pretzel of course wanted to help! The rust areas you can see still haven't been done. I have to crwl under the truck next to start on that stuff and the rest of the frame. I also am looking for a used air compressor to power my cutoff tool, so I can get rid of the old motor mts. and transmission cross member. I have new stuff to replace it, once it's out!

Well I scored big time on ebay this week. I've been biding time watching grills for the f1 as mine has some dented bars. A perfect condition one showed up that was poorly listed as a 52, and no reference to either ford or f1(one or the other), so the usual profiteers who buy them for upwards of 230, didn't join the bidding war, so for 103 bucks, plus 40 shipping, I got a basicaly new grill! The best part is I probably can sell my existing grill for this locally! I also got a piece of front end that goes behind the bumper to form the middle of the front of the truck, and also under the radiator, where mine is completely rusted out, for 15 bucks and 12 shipping. Now I'll I need is running boards and the body with be close to perfect. My wife also gave me the go ahead for the new 26 gallon porter cable air compressor, so the rest of the summer should go well with rust removal and body prep!

Good scores, way to go.

Yesterday was a good day, but little to show for the work involved.
I was able to cut off the old motor mounts. Man what a pain. Who ever put them in there did a great job! The welds were very solid! It took two trips to the local hardware store, three sawzall blades and some parts for the new 30 gallon compressor to get them off. I've never used the cutoff tool for so long before, have to remember to get some good ear plugs to avoid perminent hearing damage. Its funny because the way the mounts were welded consisted of three welds per bracket to the frame, some in places you couldn't get to without working backwards cutting apart the brackets. So 3 hours and 30 dollars later here is my end results. The passenger side frame member got a slice in it, but that'll be a great spot to practice welding with the new mig welder, when it arrives next week. I did get the hang of grinding the old welds off as well. Note to self, shorts, tee shirt and birkenstocks not conssidered safety clothing! Ouch! Here are some photos, plus one of Pretzel and the new girl looking goofy together!

We gotta have a caption contest for that one!


Don

How about a little tongue there baby..........Not with that bad breath you don't..........LOL
Is that good enough caption.
BradC

Pretty good Brad. I posted a post just for these comments. On the truck note, my new Hobart 140 mig welder arrived. I went down to our local welding supply to see about a cart and gas tank. I bought a cart from him to support local business and probably will get the gas cylinder from him too. His prices are a little steep, but lets face it he's local, and he's gotta make a living too, his advice is invaluable. Plus I'll be going there when I run out of stuff and to get tanks refilled. He's a fellow hot rodder whose been doing this stuff since the fifties(though he looks too young to have been around in the 50's! He highly recommends 75/25 Argon /Co2 mixture. Says it cools the metal to where I won't be as likely to warp the sheet metal. I asked about just using flux core but he thought that would be too hot for car sheet metal. His tanks are 160 new, with the gas fill for free on new tanks for the first fill. I've seen them as cheap as 89 on the internet, but by time you throw in shipping, tax and gas it's not too much savings compared to just buying localy. What are your opinions about the temperature thing for welding sheet metal? I just want to patch some small holes in the running boards and repair the rear window frame seem that attaches to the roof. I know Don likes the gas to reduce spatter, but what about temp?